A MAN has been ordered to pay nearly £1,000 after failing to clear his garden of rubbish.

 

Joseph Cowie, 51, of Rose Crescent in Sacriston, was asked by a council warden to remove piles of waste in his garden, which included a car, caravan, metal and other general household items, following a complaint.

 

He was issued with a Community Protection Warning requiring the waste to be removed within seven days, but did not do so and was handed a Community Protection Notice, giving him another 14 days to clear up.

 

At Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court, Cowie was found to have failed to comply with the terms of a Community Protection Notice and was ordered to pay a fine of £440, costs of £419 and a victim surcharge of £44.

 

The court also made a remedial order, requiring him to clear the waste at the property within 28 days.

 

Ian Hoult, from Durham County Council, said: “Mr Cowie was given several warnings to get rid of the waste from his property but failed to do so. We will not tolerate this kind of behaviour”.

 

“We hope this case and the fine he received serves as a warning to others to abide by the law.”